Car Defect Radar
Get the report
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 4 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

4 total · 4 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 21V00F000 · Dec 2021

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
Dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 27, 2022. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N212346640. This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recalls 20V-764 and 21V-633.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Suspension recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 20V764000 · Dec 2020

A rear toe link fracture may reduce the driver's ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear suspension toe links and adjuster fasteners free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Owners were mailed an interim notification on January 27, 2021, and April 15, 2021. A third notification was mailed on August 19, 201. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202308930.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Safety recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 14V447000 · Jul 2014

If the driver's seat unexpectedly drops, the distraction and altered seat position may affect the drivers' control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the height adjuster shoulder bolts, free of charge. The manufacturer distributed interim letters to owners on September 11, 2014. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14271.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Body & glass recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V149000 · Mar 2011

IF THIS CONDITION AFFECTS THE DEFROST SYSTEM WHEN IT IS REQUIRED, IT MAY DECREASE THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECC MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339 OR AT THE OWNER CENTER AT WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

169 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
47

Most reports here involve sudden stalling. Of these, 3 mention a crash.

sudden stalling 26transmission slipping 5
A recent report: I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. The issue first occurred in January…
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I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a 2011 Buick LaCrosse CXL. The vehicle has repeatedly shut off while being driven, creating a dangerous situation. The issue first occurred in January 2026. The vehicle was later towed for repair in February 2026, and I was told the issue had been fixed and picked up the vehicle 3/20/2026 and gave 1600. However, on April 9, 2026, the vehicle shut off again while driving. This issue has occurred multiple times and persists despite repair attempts. When the vehicle shuts off, it creates a loss of power and poses a significant safety risk in traffic. I am concerned that this may be a broader safety issue and am requesting that this defect be documented and investigated.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11731073 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Worth reading
20

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 7sudden stalling 6
A recent report: #07-06-04-019F: Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL} Illuminated, OTC Pl':1.~J with Reduced Engine Power (Repair Instrument Panel (IP) to Body Harness Connector). Lost power on I-84 and had…
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#07-06-04-019F: Intermittent Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL} Illuminated, OTC Pl':1.~J with Reduced Engine Power (Repair Instrument Panel (IP) to Body Harness Connector). Lost power on I-84 and had to cross over the right lane because I had no power, barely missing a rear end collision.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11568681 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Worth reading
15

Most reports here involve loss of braking. Of these, 2 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

loss of braking 8software faults 2
A recent report: When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the…
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When going around town or on the highway the steering wheel will start shaking badly and when going to break even after the breaks have been changed the parking break will not stay on and the steering wheel will start shaking horribly to the point where your might crash your car I have had the car looked at multiple times by different manufacturers dealerships and auto shops and they all say to Change the breaks I tell them that I had them changed by Buick and Chevrolet of Dan Cummins where I had got the car and they done the same thing over again as when I bought the car

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11685571 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
34

Most reports here involve loss of steering. Of these, 4 mention a crash, 2 mention an injury.

loss of steering 8software faults 2
A recent report: Car lost all steering while driving down the road

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11512897 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Worth reading
12

Most reports here involve airbags not deploying. Of these, 6 mention a crash, 8 mention an injury.

airbags not deploying 6airbags deploying unexpectedly 2software faults 2
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument…
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The contact owns a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated while the vehicle was at a complete, his son was rear-ended by another vehicle. The air bag warning light illuminated on the instrument panel; however, the air bag did not deploy. As a result, the driver hit his head on the headrest. The driver did seek medical attention for his injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was drivable. In addition, the seat belt retractor latches were not able to be used after the rear-ended accident. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11458226 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Structure & body

Minor
10

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: TRUNK RANDOMLY OPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MY KEY FOB IS NOT IN MY POCKET. I KEEP IT ON A CLIP ON MY PURSE WHEN NOT IN USE. ONCE I NOTICED THE ALERT IN MY CAR POPPED UP ON MY DISPLAY WHILE…
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TRUNK RANDOMLY OPENS. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND MY KEY FOB IS NOT IN MY POCKET. I KEEP IT ON A CLIP ON MY PURSE WHEN NOT IN USE. ONCE I NOTICED THE ALERT IN MY CAR POPPED UP ON MY DISPLAY WHILE DRIVING @ 55 MPH AND I DID STOP AND CLOSED THE TRUNK. MOST OF THE TIME CAR HAS BEEN STATIONARY. ONCE IT MUST HAVE BEEN OPENED DURING THE NIGHT AND IT RAINED. WHOLE TRUNK WAS VERY WET. SEVERAL TIME WHILE AT WORK AND MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT--HAD SOMEONE TELL MY MY TRUNK WAS OPEN.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11390477 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Worth reading
31

Most reports here involve software faults. Of these, 1 mention an injury.

software faults 7
A recent report: The contact purchased a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale…
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The contact purchased a 2011 Buick Lacrosse. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 143,939 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 231,952.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11750433 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 169 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2010 and 2026, roughly 11 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 169 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (189) and fewer than the 2012 (206). Of the 9 model years of the Buick LaCrosse we cover, the 2012 has the most (206). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.